Corralejo Natural Park (Spending Holidays to Fuerteventura)

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CORRALEJO NATURAL PARK

• Spending Holidays to Fuerteventura

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Covering an area of 26sqm, the bits and pieces of
sands sparkle like diamonds in a vast expanse of
dunes. The dramatic rise and fall of hills extend
all the way to several beaches. As impressive
as Maspalomas in Gran Canaria is, it pales in
comparison to Corralejo Natural Park, the pride
of Fuerteventura. The dunes of Corralejo is the
largest of its kind in the Canaries.
Standing atop the sand hills, the tranquility of
the space and fresh air from the sea engulfs
guests. From this vantage point, the stunning
view of the vastness of the ocean includes the
neighboring islands of Lanzarote and Isla de
Lobos.
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An Overview of Corralejo
Once upon a time, there was almost nothing in
this fishing village but a few low-income
families. But the irresistible beauty of
Fuerteventuras northern coast would soon come
under attack. Tourists started arriving in from
1970 to 1980, the development of Corralejo
began. The efforts of conservationists and the
government soon led to the establishment of the
Natural Park in 1982. It could not have come at a
better time as the transformation of the sleepy
fishing village intensified. Today, Corralejo is
the largest town in the municipality of La
Oliva. Although the village is vastly different
from the old days, remnants of the past remain to
this day. The commercial hub of Corralejo is on
the main street that leads to the music square.
Here, guests could shop, dine or spend the night
in bars. Further along is the old harbor where
some of the old houses remain. It is also here
where guests could eat fresh seafood from the
waters around the town.
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Things to Do in Corralejo Natural Park
Tourists flock to Corralejo Natural Park due to
the enormous expanse of dunes. The breathtaking
landscape shifts every moment as the wind shapes
the hills. Situated on the northeastern coast of
Fuerteventura, the golden sands are a stark
contrast to the dark blue color of the ocean.
Watching their little kids climb the hills and
slide down should fill the hearts of parents with
immense happiness. Most of the activities in the
park, outside of the dunes are on the fringes. To
the east, a stretch of coastline known as Grandes
Playas comprises seven beaches. Closer to
Corralejo, El Medano, El Viejo, El Bajo Negro are
the most visited beaches. Due to its large area,
these beaches do not feel cramped. On some parts,
the calm waters make for a great spot for
families with children. On others, the high waves
offer great opportunities for surfers to catch
the big one.
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As expected, several shops are offering different
water sports activities. Among the most exciting
activities are windsurfing and kitesurfing. For
those who want to explore the underwater world,
there are also scuba diving schools that offer
certifications. Certified divers could also
explore the nearby pristine dive sites, as well
as those around Isla de Lobos. Towards the
middle part of the coastline away from Corralejo,
KM22 is a designated naturist beach. Guest with
no qualms about taking it all off should find the
nudist beach a welcome attraction. Be warned,
though. It is not uncommon for nudists to walk
around in other beaches. While the east of the
protected nature reserve offers a view of the
deep blue sea, the striking red colors of Montana
Roja flanks the western side. This 314 -meters
tall mountain is easy to hike. Of concern would
be getting back to the base due to the loose
stones and slippery slopes. Besides the
spectacular view from atop, this mountain is also
the habitat of endemic birds such as Hubaria
Canaria and plants.
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How to Get There
Located some 31 kilometers away from Corralejo,
El Matorral Airport in the capital city of Puerto
del Rosario services inter-island and
international inbound and outbound flights
including that of the British Airways. From the
airport, several companies offer car hires. By
European standards, rates are inexpensive and an
excellent way to explore the island. Not only
could guests drive to Corralejo National Park,
but they could also visit off the road
destinations in Fuerteventura. Driving to the
park should take around 30 minutes via the FV-1
main road. From the other islands of the
Canaries, there are ferries from Tenerife and Gran
Canaria. One of them, Naviera Armas transports
passengers from Playa Blanca in Lanzarote to
Corralejo. Within Fuerteventura, public bus
(also called Guaguas) is a convenient way of
traveling, and it is also cheap. For instance,
Puerto del Rosario to Corralejo and vice versa
costs only 3.40.
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The Unreal Natural Park Experience
In the middle of the dunes, time and space seem
to warp as one finds it hard to distinguish
between Fuerteventura and the Sahara Desert. The
emptiness of space over an expanse of dunes makes
for stunning photography. Although images could
capture colors, it could never capture the
experience of being there. From the bustling and
colorful town of Corralejo, it takes 30 minutes
to walk to the natural park. Away from the
noises, the sound of waves creates a surreal
sensation that is forever etched in the memories
of everyone who has ever visited. Beyond the
dunes to the east, the seven beaches that make up
Grande Playas offer all kinds activities. On the
west, hiking on Montana Roja is as thrilling as
catching the waves in the open sea. Out here in
what might seem like being in the middle of
nowhere, one could connect with nature in ways no
other destinations could. A visit to
Fuerteventura will never be complete until one
sets foot in the Corralejo National Park.
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